New homes being built in flood-prone areas of England could become difficult or impossible to insure in the future as climate-related flooding risks increase, the chief executive of Aviva has warned.
Amanda Blanc, head of one of the UK’s largest insurers, said the threat from flooding was increasing and questioned the wisdom of continuing to build homes in areas where flood risks are already well known.
About 115,000 homes could be built in flood zones over the next decade if current construction patterns continue. Research by Aviva indicates that nearly one-third of homes built in 2024 could face some level of flood risk by 2050, while one in seven could face medium-to-high risk.
The Environment Agency estimates that around 6.3 million properties in England are currently at risk of flooding. That figure could rise to about eight million, or one in four properties, by the middle of the century.
The warning adds pressure on policymakers to balance ambitious housing targets with long-term climate and infrastructure risks. Flood-resistant construction and improved protection could reduce potential damage, but insurers, developers and lenders face growing concerns over the future value and insurability of properties in high-risk locations.
Leave a comment